PENN Entertainment Announces $195 Million Relocation for Hollywood Casino New Orleans

PENN Entertainment has outlined plans to invest roughly $195 million in shifting its existing Boomtown Casino & Hotel New Orleans riverboat operation from its current Harvey site to a new inland location, and the move will create the Hollywood Casino New Orleans as a fully land-based facility on an adjacent parcel. The project remains subject to regulatory approval from state authorities, with construction timelines pointing toward a 2029 opening that includes approximately 875 slot machines, 45 table games, a retail sportsbook, multiple dining venues, and additional guest amenities designed to expand the overall experience.

Project Details and Scope

The relocation targets an adjacent inland site in Harvey, Louisiana, which allows the operator to transition from a riverboat format to a permanent land-based structure while staying close to the original location and its established customer base. Observers note that this setup keeps the operation within the same market area yet enables expanded facilities that a riverboat vessel cannot easily accommodate, and the planned amenities reflect a focus on diversified revenue streams through gaming options alongside food and beverage outlets.

Data on the current Boomtown riverboat shows steady monthly visitation patterns in the 60,000 to 70,000 range, and the new venue aims to build on that foundation with a larger footprint that supports the listed gaming positions plus the sportsbook component. Fiscal year figures ending June 30, 2026, placed the property's gross gaming revenue within the broader statewide total that reached approximately $1.9 billion across Louisiana's casino sector, which provides context for the scale of the proposed investment.

Regulatory Path and Timeline

State regulators must review and approve the relocation before ground can break, and the process follows standard procedures for casino licensing modifications under Louisiana law. The 2029 target date accounts for design, permitting, and construction phases that typically span several years for projects of this magnitude, while the company has indicated that the move will preserve employment levels and local economic contributions during the transition period.

Continuing Industry Trend

This announcement aligns with a pattern that began after Louisiana passed a 2018 law permitting riverboat casinos to relocate to land-based sites, and multiple operators have since pursued similar conversions to improve operational efficiency and guest access. The Boomtown to Hollywood project represents the latest example in that sequence, where riverboat vessels give way to fixed structures that offer greater flexibility for amenities and expansions without the constraints of water-based platforms.

Those who track gaming policy note that the 2018 legislation removed previous barriers tied to vessel requirements, which opened opportunities for operators to invest in permanent facilities that can better withstand weather events and support year-round programming. The PENN Entertainment plan follows that established route, and it positions the new Hollywood Casino New Orleans to operate alongside other land-based venues that have already completed their own transitions.

Economic and Operational Context

The $195 million commitment covers site development, building construction, and fit-out of gaming and hospitality spaces, while the inland location eliminates ongoing riverboat maintenance costs associated with hull integrity and docking infrastructure. Company filings and public statements indicate that the project will maintain the existing workforce during the move and potentially create additional positions once the expanded facility opens, although exact employment numbers remain tied to final design approvals.

Statewide gaming revenue data continues to reflect the importance of the New Orleans market within Louisiana's overall casino landscape, and the relocation keeps PENN Entertainment's presence competitive against other operators that have already shifted to land-based models. The inclusion of a retail sportsbook adds a modern betting option that aligns with recent expansions in legal sports wagering across the state, and the dining venues are expected to draw both casino patrons and local residents seeking additional food choices.

Conclusion

The planned Hollywood Casino New Orleans stands as a direct outcome of the 2018 legislative change that enabled riverboat operators to pursue land-based sites, and PENN Entertainment's $195 million investment sets the stage for a 2029 opening once regulatory steps conclude. Details on the gaming mix, amenities, and location underscore a strategy focused on operational upgrades while preserving the property's role in the Harvey and greater New Orleans area. Further updates will emerge as the approval process advances and construction milestones are reached.